Patricia Ann Martyka, 77, Sebastian
Patricia Ann Martyka (nee Burregi), 77, of Sebastian, passed away peacefully on Aug. 20, 2020, with family by her side from complications due to Covid-19. She was the devoted daughter of the late Philip and Lorraine Burregi.
Pat leaves behind her husband, Robert Martyka Sr. It was love at first sight for Pat; after her first date with Bob, she went home and woke her sister, Phyllis and said “I just went out with the man I’m going to marry.” She married her Beloved Bob on July 6, 1963, and they spent 57 amazing years together.
Originally from Chicago, she and Bob moved to Sebastian, where they have spent the last six years.
She was a wonderful Mom; always involved with her children and their activities. She was the heart of the family that she cherished that more than anything. She loved to cook and try new recipes. She was an animal lover, her dream was always to start her own shelter. She volunteered at a local thrift shop that supported local rescues and she fostered hundred of cats and kittens raising them for their forever homes.
Sometimes the forever homes happened to be her home and as such she will be greatly missed by her two dogs and four cats.
She was the loving mother of Gina (David), DeAnn and Robert Jr.; Cherished grandmother of Stephanie, Christopher, Jessica (David), Melissa, Jackie (Randy), and Nicholas; and a loving great-grandmother of Summer, Timmy, Claire, Zoe, Audrey, Henry, and Bodhi. Loving sister of Phyllis aka Bell (Gary); sister-in-law of the late Alan (Carol), the late Madeline, Jack (Terri), Cathy (Rich) and Mike (Darlene) and dear Aunt of many nieces and nephews. She loved all of her cousins and her extended family, plus many special friends.
She was the rock of her family, providing unwavering support and knowledge for all. Her spirit was kind and gentle and if you needed an ear, hers was always available. She will be profoundly missed by her family and friends and never forgotten.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, Sept. 3, at Saint Sebastian Catholic Church in Sebastian Florida at 11 a.m.
A small outdoor reception will be held after the service at Pat’s favorite fishing spot located behind Riverside Church in Sebastian. As these are unprecedented times, the family kindly requests that you confirm if you will attend the reception. Please send your RSVP to Pat’s granddaughter, Stephanie Kotsios at skotsios@gmail.com
For those unable to attend due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, a Facebook live stream will take place, and may be viewed here: https://facebook.com/events/s/patricia-martykas-celebration-/958589971285422/?ti=icl
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Humane Society in Pat’s honor by clicking the following link: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E40254&id=11
Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Sebastian.
Joanne Ryan McCormack, 89, Vero Beach
Joanne Ryan McCormack, 89, of Vero Beach passed away on Friday Aug. 21, 2020, almost exactly five years after the death of her husband of 60 years, Dr. William (Bill) Joseph McCormack Jr.
Joanne was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Fred and Ella Reynolds Ryan on June 15, 1931. Joanne was the youngest of four sisters and she was very close to her father who ran the family business in Cleveland- the Allyne-Ryan Foundry, creating metal castings for a variety of industries.
Following high school graduation from Beaumont School in Cleveland Heights, she attended Marymount College in New York. When her father suddenly died, she moved back to Cleveland and graduated from Case Western Reserve University.
In 1955, she married Bill McCormack on July 2 and they had three children. They moved to Vero Beach in 1967 and have called it home ever since.
During these years in Vero Beach, Joanne was active supporting her children’s schools. Back in the day in the 1970s she was instrumental in the fundraising at Beachland Elementary to provide air conditioning for the first time in the classrooms.
Later she became president of the St. Edwards Parents Association. As a founding member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, she always had a strong faith and spiritual connection to her Catholic upbringing.
For over 25 years Joanne was an active real estate broker with Alex MacWilliams Real Estate on Ocean Drive. All of Joanne’s adult life was focused on supporting other’s behind the scenes – most notably supporting her husband while he attended the Ohio College of Podiatry in his 30s, followed by his career as a prominent Podiatrist in Vero Beach for over four decades, and his many volunteer leadership positions.
In retirement she enjoyed traveling the world with her husband and bringing back souvenirs for the family.
She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren and loved the community of Vero Beach. The family fondly remembers her creative Easter scavenger hunts, Christmas Eve celebrations, and festive table settings with fine china and hibiscus flowers.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William Joseph McCormack Jr.; and her three sisters, Helen McDonald, Kathleen Allanson, and Mary Alice Fitzgerald. Obviously, there is a strong Irish Connection.
She is survived by her daughter, Mary Jo Meyer (Roger), of Vero Beach; son William J. McCormack, M.D. (Kathy), of Maui, Hawaii; daughter, Anne Haikola (Bruce), of Austin, Texas; six grandchildren, Kathleen Meyer, Meredith Meyer (Michael Ciarvano), Alex (Rose) McCormack, Natalie McCormack , Brigid Haikola and Catherine Haikola; and one great-grandchild, Rónán McCormack.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Cross Church on Monday Aug. 31 at 10 a.m.
